Chapter 307: with translation of chapter title

In Rong Qing Tang,

After everyone took their seats, they turned a variety of looks—bright, calm, gentle, ardent, mournful, aloof—toward Jia Jing.

Jia Jing sat on a rosewood chair inlaid with turquoise and white jade, took the celadon lidded tea bowl offered by the maid, sipped a sip, and sat ramrod straight.

His gaze swept over the people in the hall one by one; his expression was calm and composed, neither rushed nor lax.

Jia Mu, seated high on the platform, broke into a smile and was the first to speak to Jia Jing.

"Young master, your consecutive victories in the northwest have earned you a dukedom and the right to wear the python robe, bringing honor to the entire household—you've worked hard!"

Jia Jing said in a low voice.

"As the ancients said: 'When one receives a mandate, one forgets one's family; when one goes into battle, one forgets oneself.'"

"Having put on armor, I dare not mention home or self, nor even say the word 'hardship'; I only wish to serve the country with this body, so as not to tarnish our ancestors' illustrious name."

"If we speak of hardship, it is those brothers who laid down their lives on the battlefield who truly deserve the word; that I, the grandson, have returned alive is already a vast heavenly grace."

"Besides, the grandson is merely holding the frontier for the emperor, relying on the lingering favor of our ancestors and the devoted service of the soldiers."

Jia Mu's eyes twitched slightly; every time she speaks with Jia Jing she feels uneasy all over.

These three grandsons talk only of ancestors and heavenly grace—that familiar feeling is back!

Just as Jia Mu wondered what to say next, Feng Jie, who had been watching Jia Jing, turned her phoenix eyes beneath her willow-leaf brows, and her rouge-painted cherry lips opened.

Her plump, fair face lit up with a smile as she chimed in:

"Receive the mandate and forget home; face battle and forget self! Third brother, your words are truly... profound!"

"No wonder he always wins battles; his manner of speaking is nothing like ours, the ladies of the inner quarters!"

Although Feng Jie didn't fully understand the meaning of that saying, her years of experience entertaining parents in colorful attire let her instantly come up with a line of praise.

This time Jia Jing returns to the mansion; Feng Jie has already resolved to spare no effort to ingratiate herself with this third brother, whose power and influence are overwhelming.

Especially after seeing that grand scene at Lugou Bridge, Feng Jie made up her mind more than ever—no matter what, she must not miss this golden opportunity! She must definitely cling to the thick thigh of her third younger brother!

Beside her, Xue Yima's fair face was also full of smiles at this moment, and she promptly chimed in:

"Young Master Jing's words are indeed well spoken; hearing them lifts one's spirits!"

"Whenever I see Young Master Jing, I think of that good-for-nothing in my own family—how can people differ so greatly?!"

"To be frank with you, Grandmother, if my son Pan'er could have even a fraction of Young Master Jing's ambition, I wouldn't have to worry and cry all day."

"Grandmother, you are truly blessed—who in the whole capital wouldn't envy you for raising such a fine grandson? This honor is something even mountains of gold and silver could not buy!"

Although Xue Yima appeared to be speaking auspicious words to Jia Mu, her words were actually subtly praising Jia Jing, and her gaze remained fixed on Jia Jing's reaction.

Although to be frank, Xue Yima didn't quite understand several of Jia Jing's words, her desire to get close to Jia Jing was the same as Feng Jie's!

Whether her daughter Baichai can become a prince's consort hinges on this occasion, so she must quickly say some nice words to start building goodwill with the future son-in-law!

After all, to speak without exaggeration, it is not easy for her to see Jia Jing face-to-face on ordinary days.

Just like the last time Jia Jing returned to the mansion after being ennobled as a marquis, she repeatedly invited him to sit at the Li Xiang Courtyard, but in the end she never managed to secure a meeting!

Each time Jia Jing replied politely with "I'll certainly disturb you when I have free time," yet over the past half year he never actually found the time!

And now Jia Jing has become a first-rank duke; it goes without saying that his affairs will only grow busier, making it even harder to see him!

One must not miss this limited opportunity to show more kindness!

At this moment, the people in the hall, hearing Xue Yima and Feng Jie take turns praising Jia Jing, could not help but laugh!

Jia Mu, seated high on the dais, had her smile stiffen, and her gaze lingered beneath her aged face.

She did not understand!

How could this third grandson utter just a stiff, stock phrase and immediately elicit this continuous stream of flattery!

Seeing Mrs. Xing beside her with an eager expression, as if she also wanted to speak, Jia Mu's expression changed and she hastily spoke to bring the topic back on track, saying:

"Young Master Jing, I heard from Baoyu's father that this time in the palace you were appointed as the Military Governor of the Twelve Regiment Camp, a position of extremely high rank and great authority!"

"You have been promoted repeatedly over these past few months; don't you think you should pick an auspicious day to hold a banquet for relatives, old friends, and colleagues?"

"During this time when you are not at home, there have not been few people coming to the mansion to offer congratulations, especially the Prince of Bei Jing's household and the Nian family, who have been visiting the mansion frequently!"

"You must keep in mind the closeness and distance of these court relationships!"

Jia Mu worried that Jia Jing, being young, did not know how to manage personal connections, so she deliberately gave him a few pointers on this matter.

Jia Jing heard this, gave a faint nod, and said:

"I am fully aware of the household affairs! Third Sister manages the household very well, especially the matter of sealing the gate with the Qin halberd."

"From now on, when I am not in the capital, you may proceed accordingly! As for unrelated persons, on the west side of the mansion try to avoid moving about, receiving guests, or accepting gifts."

"As for the Prince of Bei Jing and the Nian family and other relatives, after the ancestral rites in a few days, I will look for an opportunity to entertain them!"

The banquet should still be held, but there's no need to rush; first give these military meritorious figures a chance to voluntarily align themselves,

Meanwhile, take this time to feel out the situation of the military meritorious figures in Shenjing, to see which can be united and which must be firmly struck down!

Jia Jing will soon need to rectify the military meritorious figures in Shenjing; at this time he must first consolidate his base, clearly distinguish friends from foes, and keep a clear idea in his mind.

Jia Mu saw that Jia Jing did not reject her kind words, her brows relaxed a little, and she said with a smile:

"Third Miss is indeed good! She is courteous and measured in her dealings, handles household affairs fairly, and is not shallow in her understanding of external court matters!"

Saying this, Jia Mu could not help but feel somewhat emotional.

The grandson of the main branch and the third miss of the second branch are both born of concubines, and both are the third in their birth order; their feelings are still close, which does have a touch of fate about it.

Jia Jing glanced at Tan Chun and, beside her, the dignified and imposing Yuan Chun, and said:

"Sisters, you're both not bad; the grandmother's upbringing of her granddaughters is still commendable!"

Yuan Chun, Tan Chun, and Xichun have been raised by Jia Mu since childhood, while Yingchun has been raised near Jia Mu's small courtyard,

Although her daily life is often interfered with by Mrs. Xing, the indirect influence of Jia Mu is also not small.

Each of them has some notable talent in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and their dispositions are virtuous and observant of propriety; Jia Mu, this old lady, deserves some credit for that.

Including Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun, it is hard to say that the cultivation of their dispositions has not been influenced by Jia Mu.

Even if Jia Baoyu were a girl, she might still be a good young lady!

Jia Mu's pampering‑style upbringing does have some positive effect in raising well‑off girls!